Indian Eagle-Owl look-alikes
Bubo bengalensis
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the Indian Eagle-Owl. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
Birds to compare
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Bubo bubo
Key differences
The Indian Eagle-Owl is generally smaller and has a more rufous overall coloration compared to the greyer Eurasian Eagle-Owl. The streaking on the underparts of the Indian Eagle-Owl is typically finer and more extensive, and its facial disc is often more rufous. The ear tufts of the Indian Eagle-Owl are also often more widely spaced and less prominent than those of some Eurasian Eagle-Owl subspecies.
Dusky Eagle-Owl
Bubo coromandus
Key differences
The Dusky Eagle-Owl is generally darker, more uniformly brown, and lacks the strong rufous tones of the Indian Eagle-Owl. Its eyes are yellow (not orange-yellow), and its ear tufts are smaller and less prominent, often appearing droopy. It also prefers more wooded habitats, often near water.
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